We met a local leader recently who consistently thanks her ARs and offers them resources to make their jobs easier. These include:

-- Giving each AR a nice portfolio at the start of each year, which is handy for taking notes.-- Each AR receives a nice shoulder bag at the end of the school year that represents his or her school. The bag is given out at the final AR meeting of the year, and attendance at this meeting is 100%. -- At the year's final AR meeting, each representative is given a certificate that acknowledges his or her hard work and attendance.

We attended a meeting last night at a local with all of the ARs in attendance. The local provided each AR with a binder. Included in the binder is:

-- a copy of the association contract-- a copy of the local's constitution and bylaws-- job descriptions for each position in the local-- a copy of the local's reorganization plan-- plenty of extra dividers that will be filled as the year moves forward.

The local is encouraging the ARs to bring the binder to all association meetings. This seems like a good way to help ARs stay organized.

We got this idea from one of our UniServ field representatives. He suggested offering a drawing at rep council meetings in order to encourage attendance as well as liven up the atmosphere. The field rep suggested that at each rep council meeting, the president come prepared with a few gift cards (they don’t have to be much: $5 or so for Dunkin Donuts or WaWa would be great) or lottery tickets. During the meeting, the president raffles off the gift cards. Although the cards aren’t for much money, the members have fun during the drawing, and each drawn name is met with resounding applause.

We got this idea from the Trenton Education Association. At each AR meeting, the association does five minutes or so of training. Members are invited up to the front of the room and role play different sceneros with leaders--who sometimes play administrators, members, etc. The role playing seems like it's a lot of fun and helps demostrate good practicies for the ARs to try.

Offer a “meal reimbursement” to your ARs to thank them for their time at rep council meetings.We got this idea from the Gloucester County Education Association. The county follows this practice:

Before each rep council meeting, the treasurer goes to the bank and gets a $10 bill for each rep. At the meeting, each rep is given a $10 bill in an envelope. A meal is not served at the meeting; light refreshments are offered. Therefore, this “meal reimbursement” can be offered.

The $10 is non-reimbursable. The county created a special form to document the use of the $10, and it is stapled to a voucher. This documentation is submitted to the county’s accountant each year.

To learn more about this practice, reach out to your UniServ field representative.

It is a common practice for locals to organize ARs based on their location in their buildings. For example, an AR with a classroom in hall A might be responsible for all members in hall A, etc. This makes it easier on the ARs to disseminate information and the members to receive support.

One of our UniServ field reps recommends offering dinner at each rep council meeting. Many local presidents take their rep council members out to dinner at least once a year to thank them for their hard work. It might be possible to offer your reps a meal at each meeting. This might increase attendance for your rep council meetings.

A local leader reports that she does themed rep council meetings. For example, an upcoming rep council meeting will be sports day, and all ARs are encouraged to wear sports jerseys to the meeting. There are other theme days throughout the year.

How about ending each rep council meeting with an opportunity for your ARs to write a letter / postcard to their legislator about a piece of legislation that's been proposed, your feelings on a recently passed law or ruling, the new evaluation system, etc. It's often fun to do this as a large group, and it gets everyone more comfortable with the process.